Causes, symptoms & remedies for piles

“Piles tend to worsen over time and should be treated as soon as it occurs.”

In the West, over half the population above the age of 50 years are known to suffer from piles. Accurate Indian statistics are not available because we as a people are mostly embarrassed to talk about it. Unfortunately, piles tend to worsen over time and every disease deserves be treated as soon as it occurs. In India, piles are used as a loose common term to include piles, haemorrhoids, fistulas and fissures with skin tags.

Fistulas are an abnormal small opening next to the anus from where discharge keeps occurring. This is due to a tunnel like tract between the anal canal and the skin. This condition always requires surgery for cure. Fissure with skin tags lead to painful bleeding due to a small cut at the anal margin. It is usually associated with skin tags that are mistakenly called piles. This condition resolves in majority of the patients by use of creams and medicines to treat constipation. Rarely does the patient need surgery.

The exact cause is unknown. However, the upright posture of humans alone forces a great deal of pressure on the rectal veins, which sometimes causes them to bulge. Other contributing factors include:

Ageing

Diarrhoea

Pregnancy

Heredity

Faulty bowel function

Spending long periods of time in the toilet

The best way to prevent haemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily, thus decreasing pressure and straining and to also empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. In addition, one should not sit in the toilet for a long period of time.

Symptoms

Bleeding

Faecal soiling

Itching

Occasional pain

Remedies

Bathing in tubs with warm water is almost always helpful

Ice can help relieve acute pain

There are many outpatient procedures for piles. Standard scalpel surgery, done under general anaesthesia requiring hospital admission, is necessary when:

Clots repeatedly form in the external piles

Ligation fails to treat internal piles

Protruding piles cannot be reduced

There is persistent bleeding

Stapled Piles Surgery is an effective treatment, reducing some of the problems associated with conventional surgery, provided that the operator has the technical experience. It reduces:

Operative bleeding

Postoperative pain

Length of hospital stay

Encourages a rapid return to normal activities

Visit Apollo Hospitals to get the best medical advice for treating piles before the problem worsens.